§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many Manpower Service Commission area boards are keeping information on the numbers of young disabled people on youth training schemes.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonManpower Services Commission area manpower boards do not themselves maintain statistics on the numbers of disabled young people on the youth training scheme. However, each area office of the commission holds quarterly regional statistics on numbers entering the scheme.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for monitoring the numbers of young disabled people on the youth training scheme; and what efforts he is making to ensure that mentally as well as physically disabled young people are able to take advantage of training opportunities.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonStatistics on the number of young disabled people entering the youth training scheme, based on returns from sponsors, are being collected at quarterly intervals. The figures for September show that some 1,100 disabled young people had been identified as entering the Scheme at that date.
The eligibility rules allow disabled youngsters to join the Scheme at the age of 18 if they could not have done so earlier because of ill health or because they continued their education until that age, and every effort is being made too encourage both mentally and physically disabled young people to enter the Scheme. The Manpower Services Commission has published leaflets aimed at explaining to employers and other potential sponsors the benefits of recruiting disabled youngsters within the Scheme. In addition the commission is making training available to sponsors' staff to help them meet the needs of young disabled people, including those who are mentally handicapped.